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“There was no pop,” I say.
I don’t want to sit. It’ll compromise my time and put Kyle more in the focus in these last few days of voting and give him an edge.
Our head trainer comes over and manipulates the joint, bending and flexing. I try not to wince.
“We should take it back and get it scanned. But it’s your call if we do it now or after the game.”
Kyle watches with interest. So do the other guys.
There’s a hand on my shoulder. Rookie. “We need you, man. Not for tonight, not as an all-star next weekend. For what comes after.”
Every instinct in me is to argue with the trainer, to swallow down the pain and deal with it later.
I meet Jay’s gaze, and he nods. “You can fight tomorrow.”
I follow our trainer back.
* * *
NOVA
Knee contusion. That’s what they call it for the three games Clay sits out before the all-star break.
During the most important road trip of the year, Kyle gets named a starter.
Clay doesn’t get picked as a reserve.
I saw the news pop up on my phone while I was on a lunch break from the studio.
“How’s he going to be?” Brooke asks.
“I have no idea. But I’m going over tonight.”
The team gave him an exemption from traveling this week since it’s going to be a few days before he’s back in.
I pick up donuts on the way over to his place.
When I arrive, he buzzes me in. On the table in the foyer is a mysterious black box that looks like it could hold a bowling ball.
“What’s that?” I ask as I set the donuts on the table next to the box.
He looks over the back of the couch. “Agent had it shipped from LA.”
“Can I see?” I bring it over to the couch where he’s sitting in gray sweatpants and nothing else, watching another basketball game.
Clay pops the lock and opens the lid.
Inside is a clear glass box holding a ring the size of a watch.
Dozens, maybe hundreds, of rubies and diamonds sparkle up at us.
“Holy,” I whisper.
He lifts the glass off unceremoniously and holds out the ring. The sides are gold, studded with even more stones.
“That’s your name in diamonds,” I say, tracing the W-A-D-E with a finger.
“Yup. You don’t have to whisper, though.”
